Friday, January 31, 2014

Chicago winters can be very cold so you should sustenance to help get you through the Chicago windy weather. The Peninsula Hotel is located one block west of the Chicago Magnificent Mile. The Pierrot Gourmet is located on the street level next to the Peninsula Hotel entrance. It is an upscale European-styled cafe utilizing the freshest ingredients which serves salads, sandwiches, tartines and desserts.

During my visit I dined on the Shrimp and Grits which is southern comfort food. The Pierrot Gourmet Chef prepares a delectable rendition of this southern classic dish. I recommend this Shrimp and Grits as a hearty dish to warm your body and soul.

I thought the icon Slim Chicken was a Black man from a distance. That is what drew my attention to the restaurant. Once I got closer to the sign I realized that the icon is a chicken dressed up like a Black man. He is wearing a hat cocked to one side like a soul brother. The restaurant plays blues music. It is an attempt to mainstream franchise the chicken shacks from the Black Community. The food was good but not authentic.

There is a Blues musician from Chicago known as Mississippi Slim. I am not sure if there is any association to this restaurant chain.

Anyone know if this is related to Mississippi Slim the Blues Man from Chicago?

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

As we sat in the in the cabin listening to Bryan and Shannon share their history
of the Underground Railroad, our minds grappled with the story that was being told to us.

Shannon Prince demonstrating the slave collar.

Shannon said "Yes, Patricia. You have questions? I can see the wheels in your head churning."

"One More River To Cross" written by Bryan Prince is based on the life of his Great Grandfather Issac Brown, who was a slave.

Patricia replied, "It is just that we haven't heard this before. It was always Harriet Tubman makes it to Canada; end of story, end of movie, cut." We all giggled at Patricia's description of the Hollywood storybook ending of the escape to freedom.

Inside view of the log cabin.

Patricia aptly summed up what we Americans were thinking about our new history lesson.

Our TBEX FAM trip Follow The North Star Tour had brought us to Buxton Township of the Chatham-Kent area of Ontario, Canada.

TBEX FAM trip Follow The North Star Tour

We, TBEX Travel Bloggers/Writers were chosen to explore Canada's Black Heritage. Our diverse group of women travel bloggers included Jennifer Huber of Solo Travel Girl from Florida; Steph Spencer of A Nerd At Large from Ontario Canada; Alouise Dittrick of Traveler Ahoy from Nova Scotia; Melissa Hogan of Suitcase and Heels from New Foundland; Patricia Patton of Boomer Wizdom from New Jersey; Chelle Roberts of Brown Girls Fly from Chicago; Michaela Hall of Awe Inclusive from New York; Roxanne Scott of Who's World from New York; and myself Janice Temple of The Skychi Travel Guide of Chicago.

Bryan Prince, Author and Researcher lectures about North American Black Heritage.

Now you are probably wondering what truths did we uncover about The North Star Trail? Well, we learned that the story did not end with Harriet Tubman reaching Canada. As a matter of fact Harriet Tubman never made it to Buxton in Chatham-Kent which is located one hour from Detroit, Michigan. The history of freedom is a Black and White story shared by both people. The presence of the Indian is just a myth in the lineage belief of poses sing Indian blood. It is more a story of the blending of the White and Black people.

Bryan and Shannon Prince are descendants of freed slaves.

Today Buxton is a town of 500 people of which the majority are descendants of former slaves. It was one of the most successful planned settlement for runaway slaves. It was started by a white man named Rev. William King in 1849.

This 1861 Schoolhouse educated students until 1969. Bryan and Shannon are former students of this school.

The Buxton Museum hosts an Annual Homecoming every Labor Day Weekend. It is a 90 year old tradition that includes a History & Genealogy Conference, Family Feud Baseball Tournament, Dance Party in the park, Church Services, Living History, Parade, Sports Events, Classic Car Show, Championship Games, Children Activities, Craft Tables, and exhibits.

Friday, January 3, 2014

Bienvenue au Senegal et a Dakar porte de L'Afrique
Welcome to Senegal and Dakar the gateway to Africa

Leopold Sedar Senghor, First President of Senegal

Welcome to the Suburb of Grand Yoff!

Ville de Dakar, Map of the City of Dakar

Have some Tea

We look our best during Tabaski

How big is Africa? 12 million square miles
Africa could hold the land occupied by China, India, Europe,Argentina, New Zealand, and the continental United States with room to spare!

Looking for travel inspiration? Look no further than the Field Museum of Chicago!

This Africa exhibit begins with a journey through Dakar, Senegal. This amazing exhibit introduces you to a Senegalese family celebrating the holy Muslim holiday of Tabaski which is the Wolof word for sacrifice. About 90 % of the Senegalese people practice the Muslim religion. According to Muslim tradition, Abraham was asked by Allah to sacrifice his only son Issac. Abraham was disturbed by the request but decided to obey God anyway. In the morning God provided a sheep as a substitute for the Abraham's son Issac. Every family sacrifices a sheep in memory of Abraham's sheep sacrifice to Allah in place of his son Issac.

Tip for visiting this African exhibit: One should sit at the transport bus and watch the film beefore exploring the exhibits. The film prepares you for your walk through Senegal.This is an interactive exhibit so you are allwed to take phots and touch the exhibits.

I made the mistake of watching the film last, I believe you will receive more context and understanding of the Senegal exhibit if you first watch the film.

The Africa exhibit has not been updated sine 1994, but I was impressed with storytelling of the journey. It made me want to actually go and visit Senegal, so the goal of the Senegal Minister of Tourism has been achieved I would agree.